Record controlled machine



Feb. 1, 1938.

R. 1.. HOUSTON RECORD CONTROLLED MACHINE Filed April 25, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 $1 q M 0 m an m nw Ann Q HWP h o w o w u g 1 n no u n 0 m m n w Nu m p F 00 O o o Y INVENTOR ROBERT L. HOUSTON gw zm ATTORNEY Feb. 1, 1938. R. HOUSTON RECORD CONTROLLED MACHINE Filed April 25, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 m INVENTOR ROBERT L. HOUSTON N Ln own van Al IORNEYS RECORD CONTROLLED MACHINE Filed April 25, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR ROBERT L. HOUSTON ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 1, 1938 2 UNITED STATES PATIENT OFFICE RECORD CONTROLLED MACHINE Robert L. Houston, New York, N. Y. Application Apr" 25, .1930, Serial No. 447,351

14 Claims.

This invention pertains to record controlled machines which register or accumulate the data or designations recorded, such as by perforations, upon record cards. The record card may con- 5 tain a plurality of independent items or designations in each column in columnar alignment, the data desired being recorded thereupon by means of perforations. These perforations are read and registered or accumulated by the machine.

The perforated record card need not be larger than those nowused and known to the art and yet this size of card is capable of recording at least double the amount of data customarily recorded upon these cards. This is accomplished by utilizing the spaces between the regular perforation positions of the card for perforation positions and for this reason these spaces may be termed interspaced positions although either set of perforation positions is interspaced with respect to the 20 other. The machine described herein is capable of reading and recording or accumulating the perforations in, regular position and also the interspaced perforations in a single passage of the card through the machine. Again, either the 25 regular or the interspaced perforations may be read without reading the other record in a single passage of the card through the machine as desired.-

It'is an object of this invention to read and so register one or more independent perforated items or designations located in the same column orseries of columns of a record card wherein the additional set or sets of perforation positions are interspaced between other or the normal per- :13 foration positions of the. card and are in columnaralignment with these positions.

Another object is to provide mechanism for reading and registering or accumulating or otherwise utilizing one or more sets of independent 40 designation positions located in columnar alignment within the same column or columns of a record card during a single cycle of operation of the machine which cycle is measured by the card passing once through the machine.

43 It is also an object of the invention to provide mechanism for reading one or more independent designations in columnar alignment within a single column of a record card by means of a single sensing element. 50 Another object is to provide means to distribute the item or, designation set up by the regular perforation and the designation of the interspaced fperforation during a single cycle of operation to independent recording means or accumulator 55 orders and utilizing a single sensing element.

A further object is to provide means enabling each of the plurality of perforation designations in one or more columns of the card to be distributed to accumulators so that each perforation is registered as a separate digit of a single 5 digit number or registered upon adjacent accumulators, each of which represents or records a separate digit of a multi-digit number.

The invention will be more apparent from the following description taken in connection with 10 the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a record card feeding mechanism which feeds the perforated cards one at a time into the machine and into operative relation with the record perforation 15 sensing means and associated mechanism which are also shown.

Figure 2 represents a portion of a record card perforated in accordance with the well known digit index system.

Figure 3 represents a portion of the same card shown in Figure 2 but having a second set of digit index perforations located in the interspaced positions between the regular perforation positions. I

Figure 4 shows a diagrammatic view of the perforation sensing mechanism and wiring diagram for reading three columns of perforated record card having regular and interspaced perforations, as shown in .Figure 3, with accumulators for registering the value or digit represented by theperforations.

Figure 5 shows a diagrammatic view of the perforation sensing mechanism and a wiring diagram for reading two columns of the perforated record card in which the perforations in a single column of the cardare distributed to register or accumulate as separate digits of a compound number.

Figure 6 is an enlarged view of distributing 40 commutators, surface developments of which are shown in Figure 4, and with brushes contacting with the commutators. 1

Figure '7 is an enlarged view of a shunt control commutator, a surface development of which is shown in Figure 4.

Figure 8 shows a plug-in cord by means of which any designation in any column of the card may be recorded on any desired accumulator.

One of the systems of perforating record cards heretofore widely used for controlling accounting machines has used a method of'recording data upon perforation cards known as a digit index system. This system provides a plurality of columns of record positions and each column has at 56 least nine spaced perforation positions. Such cards were adapted to receive a single perforation in each column which represented the desired recorded data and the machines controlled by the cards are capable of reading only one such perforation. Obviously a card upon which more than a single record perforation could be recorded in each column of perforation'positions and a machine which is capable of reading a plurality of perforations of recorded data in each column has the advantage that twice as much data may be recorded upon a single card of equal size and having an equal number of columns of perforation positions as could heretofore be recorded upon the card.

The construction by which I accomplish these results is shown in the drawings in which Figure 1 shows a plurality of cards I placed in vertical position upon a platform 2 and advanced along this platform by a backing plate 3. This backing plate retains the cards in vertical position and also advances them along the platform 2 by means of the cables 4 passing over the pulleys 5 and upon the end of each cable is suspended a weight 5 to bring the cards into the path of the card feeding mechanism.

The card feeding device consists of a bar I which is caused to reciprocate in the guides ll through the connecting rod [2 connecting the reciprocating bar ID with the} eccentric l3. The bar i0 engages the first card upon the platform and feeds it into feed rollers to be described. This card feeding mechanism is merely illustrative of any method or means of feeding the cards into the machine.

The feeding means directs the card in-between the feeding rollers [5 which feed the card past a series of spaced sensing elements 15 supported upon a bar I! of insulating'material so that each sensing element is insulated from all of the other elements. These sensing elements are in direct alignment with the columns of perforation positions upon the card and are adapted to project through a perforation upon the card, irrespective of the positionwhich is perforated and' thereby establish an electrical circuit as will be more fully described.

The sensing elements ii are in contact with a metallic roller l9, so long as there is no card between the roller and the elements. The metallic roller I9 is mounted upon and insulated from a shaft 20. A brush 2! is always in contact with the roller. l9 to apply an electrical potential thereupon during the desired part of the cycle as will be more fully explained. The roller IS in addition to being part of electrical circuits to be described, also rotates and serves as a card feeding roller in conjunction with the rollers 22 mounted upon the shaft 23, between which rollers l9 and 22 the card is adapted to pass. Upon the same axis with the roller I9 and secured upon and insulated from the same shaft 20, is a metallic ring 25 separated from the roller H by a narrow strip of insulating material 28.

A brush 2! is in contact with the metallic ring 2! to establish an electrical contact therewith. The roller 19 may be driven by any suitable driving mechanism, such as the belt and pulley 28. A gear 30 is keyed to the shaft 20 which gear meshes with a second gear 3! keyed to shaft 23, and this second gear 3| meshes in turn with a third gear 32 keyed upon a shaft 33. These gears are adapted to drive the respective shafts 20, 23 and 33 at the same speed.

In order to better understand the operation of the machine, a brief description will be given of a perforated record card as heretofore used, and the perforated record card having a plurality of perforations in each column in columnar alignment. Figure 2 shows a record card 35 having a plurality of columns 36 of perforation positions utilizing the digit index system which is much used today for the recording of data thereon and in Figure 3 is shown the card I also using the digit index system but having a plurality of perforations in each column. The cards are identical in size and have an equal number of columns of perforation positions which are numbered from 0 to 9 for convenience in visual reading of the designations or items recorded on the card. A perforation (Figure 2) is punched in the perforation position in each column to represent the data desired to be recorded upon the card. The last three columns of the card have perforations 31a, 31b and 310 in their respective columns 36a, 36b and 36c to record the respective numerals 9, 5, 8 giving the number 859 as is well known.

The perforated record card 1 shown in Figure 3 also contains a plurality of columns 40a, 40b, 400, etc., of spaced perforation positions in which the same data recorded on card 35 of Figure 2 is recorded thereupon by perforating the last three columns with the perforations Ma, 41b and H0 in the positions 9, 5 and 8 to record the number 859. In addition to the data recorded upon the card shown in Figure 2, the card I of Figure 3 utilizes the spaces 42 between the perforation positions designated by the numerals, as additional perforation positions to record additional data in each column. It is to be noted that all the perforation positions in each column are in alignment. These spaces in between the numbered or regular perforation positions are for convenience designated as interspaced positions. The last three columns of the card, shown in Figure 3, are perforated in interspaced position to record the number 837 as will be explained more fully hereinafter.

It will be observed that the interspaced numeral 8 is directly above the perforation position bearing the numeral 8 although it is within the scope of the invention to have the interspaced record numbers immediately in the space beneath the numbered perforation positions instead of as shown and described above. Obviously too the perforation records in each column of the card need not be limited to two perforation records provided the card is large enough to take additional interspaced records. The perforations also may be small enough to enable additional ones to be spaced between the regular perforations. It will be observed, therefore, that with only one set of interspaced positions, there are provided eighteen perforation positions which may be used to provide a plurality of sets of perforation positions, and each set is adapted to record one item or number.

It will be observed that the card shown in Fig- I ure 3 in the last perforation column 4011 has a perforation Ila to record thereon the numeral 9 in the numbered perforation position and a perforation 43a to record the numeral 7 positioned in the interspaced position 42 between the numbered perforation positions'fi and 7. The next column 40b is perforated at 4 lb and 43b to record 5 and 3 and the next column is perforated at llc and 43c to record 8 and 8. The card I has, therefore, twice as much data recorded thereupon as card 35 shown in Figure 2, which results in an obvious saving of perforation card material and, in'addition thereto, the double amount of data recorded upon card I may be filed in cabinets of no greater size than the cabinets utilized for the card 35, shown in Figure 2, which have but onehalf as much data recorded thereupon.

A diagrammatic view is shown in Figure 4 of the mechanism by which the perforations in the record card I are sensed and registered and inasmuch as these mechanisms are identical for each column of perforation positions, the mechanism for one column only will be described. The circuits and mechanisms for sensing and registering or accumulating perforations for three columns of perforation positions are shown on the drawings to simplify the disclosure.

The perforations in the card are sensed by the brushes or sensing elements I6 projecting through the perforations as the card is fed between the metallic roller I9 and the sensing elements. In projecting through the perforations, the sensing elements contact with the roller I9 to establish electrical contact therewith. These sensing elements are also in contact with the roller I9 when there is no card between the roller and sensing elements or brushes and therefore a circuit is provided which automatically closes the electrical circuit to the roller I9 whenever a card is fed between the roller and the brushes and breaks the circuit when the card has passed by the brushes or sensing means.

This automatic controlling circuit consists of the metallic ring 25 which is insulated from the roller I9 by the insulating ring 26 (Figure 1). The brush 2'! remains constantly in contact with the ring 25 and is connected to a source of electrical potential by means of the conducting wire 5|. The last sensing element I8 mounted upon the insulated bar I'I (Figure 1) is also adapted to contact with the conducting ring 25 but is positioned so that when a card is fed through the machine, electrical contact between the sensing element I8 and the conducting ring 25 is broken by the card.. So long as there is no card in the machine, an electrical circuit will be maintained from the source of electrical potential 50 through the conducting wire 5|, brush 21 to the ring 25 and then through the sensing element I8 to the electro-magnet 52 and back to the source of electrical potential through the wire'53.

This circuit energizes the electro-magnet 52 which draws and retains the armature 54 against the electro-magnet thereby breaking and holding apart the electrical contact 55. A card which is fed into the machine passes between the sensing element I8 and the conducting ring 25 breaking the electrical circuit to the electro-magnet 52 which deenergizes the electro-magnet and they armature 54 drops by gravity or may be repelled by a spring so that the contacts 55 are in contact with each other and in turn establishes an electrical circuit through the armature 54 until the card passes from beneath the sensing elements.

The electrical circuit controlled by the electromagnet 52 and its armature 54 through the contacts 55 is' the circuit through the sensing elements or means, which circuit will now be traced. Beginning from the source of electrical potential 50, the circuit passes through the wire 5I and the contacts 55 to the armature 54 and from the armature 54 through the wire 51 to the brush 2| also shown in Figure 1. As previously described, the brush 2| is in contact with the metallie conducting surface of the roller IS and establishes an electrical potential upon this roller. The sensing elements I6 are in contact with the roller I9 until a card passing through the machine breaks the contact but the circuit through the sensing elements is broken at contacts 55, as previously described.

Upon a card being fed into the machine, the card passes between the sensing elements It and the roller l9 breaking this electrical contact and the card also passes between sensing element I8 and ring 25 which closes contacts 55, as previously described, and establishes an electrical potential on roller I9. If now a perforation exists in the card in one of the perforation positions either regular or interspaced, the sensing element provided for the column having the perforation makes contact with the roller I9 through the perforation. Such a perforation 4Ia occurs in column 40a of the record card I and the sensing element I6a is shown in contact with the roller I9 through this perforation. This establishes an electrical circuit through the sensing element l8a which will now be traced.

The circuit from the source of electrical potential 50 to the roller I9 and the sensing element Ilia has been previously traced. From the sensing element Ilia, the circuit passes through the conducting wire to a brush BI which is in contact with a selector 80a, to be described in detail hereinafter, which establishes an electrical circuit between the brush GI and the brush 62. The brush'BZ is connected to one contact 64 of aplug socket, the ring I21 forming the other or ring contact,

A plug line shown in detail in Figure 8 is provided with a plug at each end. One of the contacts 65 of the plug line engages with the socket contact 64 when plugged in the socket which continues the circuit from the sensing element Ilia through the wire 66 to the plug contact 51 at the other end of the plug line. The plug contact 61 is inserted in a plug socket consisting of the contact II which is engaged by the contact 61 and the ring I3I. The socket contact II is connected through the wire I3 to the coil of a register control magnet 14a and the sensing means circuit is completed through the wire I5 to the source of electrical potential 50. This circuit controlling the first energizing of the accumulator control magnets may be termed the initial control circuit.

As the card I is fed down past the sensing elements an electrical circuit will be established between the respective sensing elements I6 and the conducting roller I9 wherever a perforation occurs in the columns of perforation positions. Such perforations will establish circuits identical with the circuit traced above so that a perforation occurring in a regular or numbered position of column 401) may be plugged-in to connect with and establish an electrical circuit through the coil of the accumulator control magnet I4b and a perforation in a regular or numbered position of the column 40c may be pluggedin to connect with and establish an electrical cir- In tracing the circuit through the sensing element I 6a, the selector 80a was included as one of the connections of this circuit. Preferably the selector 00a is embedded in the surface of a roller I! of insulating material as shown in Figure 6. and is mounted to rotate with the shaft 33. A surface development of the selector 00a is shown in Figure 4. This selector is a serrated strip having the brush 62 contacting therewith throughout the length of the strip as it rotates. serrations 02 extend axially therefrom and the brush BI is positioned to contact with these serrations or teeth. One such serration or tooth is provided for each perforation position for each independent set of perforation positions in the columns excepting thelastor zero position and therefore there are nine of such serrations 02 and not ten inasmuch as a perforation in zero position does not require reading or registering.

The selector 00a revolves at the same speed as the feed roller I9 and is synchronized with the card feeding mechanism so that the serrations 02 establish electrical contact between the brushes GI and 62 at the instant that the sensing element I 6a comes into contact with one of the numbered perforation positions in column 40a of the card I. This selector therefore selects the perforations which are in the numbered perforation positions in column 40a and rejects any perforations which appear in the interspaced position.

A second selector 8Ia is provided adjacent to the selector 00a but insulated therefrom. This selector is identical with the selector 80a and has its serrations 03 extending between the serrations 82 in the selector 80a. This selector functions in the same manner as the selector 80a, excepting that it selects the interspaced positions and rejects the numbered positions by establishing a circuit between brushes GI and 63.

The selectors 00a and Bla together constitute a distributor which distributes the electrical circuit set up by the sensing element IIia through a perforation record appearing in the numbered position in column 40a, to the accumulator control magnet Ila and the accumulator mechanism controlled thereby, and distributes the perforation designation appearing in interspaced position in column 40a to the accumulator control magnet 94a and the accumulator controlled thereby which latter construction and circuit will be described. One such distributor is provided for each perforation column on the card. The selectors are actually switches which open and close the circuits from the sensing elements I8 to .the

selected accumulator control magnets, such as the.

magnets I4 and 94 respectively, as the sensing elements pass over the respective numbered perforation positions and the interspaced perforation positions and this invention contemplates any switching mechanism either mechanical or electrical which has this function.

Upon the sensing element I6a establishing electrical contact with the roller I9 through a perforation in one of the interspaces 42, such as perforation 43a shown in the interspace of column 400. for recording the number 7, an electrical circuit will be set up which will now be traced. This electrical circuit begins from the source of electrical energy to the roller I0 over a circuit which has previously been described. The circuit will then pass through the sensing element Iia and the wire to the brush GI, as previously described. The selector BIa rotates in synchro nism with the card I as the card is fed past the sensing elements I6, therefore when the perforation 43a in interspace position of column 4011 passes under the sensing element ISa, the selector Ila will have rotated therewith so that one of the serrations 03 will establish electrical connection between the brushes GI and 63. The circuit then continues from the brush 63 to the contact 85 of a plug socket. A plug-in line identical with the plug-in line 05, 66, B1 and therefore numbered to correspond therewith carries the circuit to the contact SI of a second plug socket which connects by means of wire 93 with the coil of electromagnet 94a. The return circuit to the source of electrical potential 50 is made through the return wire 15.

Uporrthe accumulator control magnet Ila being energized the armature I00 is drawn into contact with the coil or its armature thereby closing the contacts IOI and establishing a shunt or holding circuit which will be described. The holding circuit controls means to operate an accumulator wheel. This operating means includes the arm I02, which is attached to the armature I00, is actuated upon the magnet Ila being energized which in turn slides the clutching element I03 along a constantly rotating shaft I04 so that the clutch tooth I05 upon the clutch member I02 engages one of the teeth I06 upon a registering or accumulator wheel I01. The accumulator wheel or order I01 is loosely mounted upon the shaft I04 and normally remains stationary until engaged by the clutching element I03 which is keyed to the shaft so as to rotate therewith and still enable axial movement thereupon. The accumulator wheel I0I will rotate through so much of one complete revolution dependent upon the length of time that the clutching element I03 is in clutching engagement with the wheel. The accumulator wheel or order has numerals upon its circumference for registering the designations upon the cards. The spring I00 withdraws the clutching element I03 from en-' gagement with the accumulator wheel I01 upon the circuit through the accumulator control magnet Ila being broken which deenergizes the magnet and releases the armature I00.

In the same manner as described above with respect to the designation represented by the perforation l3a being registered upon the accumulator counter I51, the designation represented by the perforation 43b in interspaced position in the column 40b may be plugged in to the coil of the accumulator control magnet 94!) and the perforation record No in column 400 may be plugged in to the coil of the accumulator control magnet 940, or if desired any of these may be plugged in to connect with the coil of any accumulator con trol magnet. v

The registering or accumulating mechanism per se described above is substantially old in the art and is included as an example of any accumulator means suitable for registering or accumulating the values represented by the perforations upon the record cards. Such accumulator mechanisms include also devices for carrying forward or transferring to the accumulator mechanism for the next higher digit an advance of one unit when the lower digit mechanism has made one revolution and thereby accumulating the records. There are many such devices, one of which is shown in the Hollerith Patent 974,272. This mechanism is one of the elements of the combination constituting the invention.

The accumulator control magnets I4 and 94 receive only a momentary energizing current from the circuit established by the sensing elements I6 projecting through perforations in the the commutator immediately upon the perforation passing or even before the perforation passes the respective sensing element. A shunt or holding circuit is therefore provided through the accumulator control magnets which keep them energized for such periods of the cycle time as are determined by. the perforation record on the.

card so that the accumulator wheel is rotated as many units or digits upon its circumference corresponding to the number of the position perforated upon the record card.

As previously described, the energizing of the accumulator control magnet 14a closes the contacts ml which contacts establish a separate and distinct electrical circuit. Beginning from the source of electrical potential 50, this separate or shunt circuit is connected through the wire I20 to a brush I2I which is in contact with a timing element I of a commutator I24, a surface development of which is shown in Figure 4, and its preferred form being shown in Figure 7.

' The timing element is mounted on the shaft 33 and rotates with theselectors 80 and ill. The commutator I24 comprises the metallic timing element I25 mounted upon a cylindrical insulating member. The timing means or element has three portions of varying circumferential length, one of which extends entirely around the insulated cylinder and with which the brush I2I is continually in contact.

Brushes I22 and I23 are shown as positioned upon either side of the brush I 2| and are also shown in contact with the timing element I25 but upon portions which only partially pass around the insulated cylinder. So long as the brushes I22 and I23 are upon the-metallic timing element I25, an electrical connection is established between the brushes I2I and I22 as well as between the brushes'I2I and I23 which electrical connections are broken when the brushes I22: and I 23, during 'the'rotation of the commutator, ride oif-offiie conducting timing element and ride upon the insulating material. It will be noted that the brush I23 contacts with the timing element for a longer period than the brush I22, the reason for which will be subsequently explained.

The shunt or holding circuit continues from the'brush I2I to both brushes I22 and I23 through the timing element I25. The circuit through the brush I22 passes by wire Q20 to a series of plug socket rings one of which is the ring I21 forming the second contact of the plug socket which includes contact 64. The circuit then'continues through the plug contact 60, the

The operative relation of the circuit through a perforation in the card I and a sensing element I6 and the shunt circuit is as follows. The perforation in the card closes momentarily an electrical circuit through the sensing element I6 and the electro-magnet 14 which closes the contacts IOI'-" establishing the shunt or holding circuit which shunt circuit continues to energize the electro-magnet 14 until the shunt circuit is broken at the timing commutator I24 by the brush I22 riding ofi of the conducting element I25 at the point I10 as the commutator rotates. Breaking of the shunt circuit deenergizes the electro-magnet 14 which releases the armature I00 and breaks the contacts IOI of the shunt circuit. The shunt circuit is opened thereby and cumulating wheel I01. The breaking of the shunt circuit and the disconnecting of the accumulating wheel I01 from the rotating shaft I04, returns the entire mechanism to its original condition excepting the accumulatorwheel and the mechanism is ready to register a second perforation in numbered or regular perforation position upon a second card.

Upon a perforation appearing in column 400 in interspaced position an exact duplicate shunt circuit, such as described above, is set up through the commutator brush I23. This circuit begins from the source of electrical energy 50 and passes through the wire I20 to the brush I2I and through the timing element I25 to the brush I23 and wire I40 to the ring elements I of a series of plug sockets. A plug contact 68 is in contact therewith which continues the circuit through wire 69 to a corresponding plug contact 10 which is in contact with the ring I43 of a second plug socket. The plug socket ring I43 is connected through wire I46 to the contacts I5I which contacts. are controlled by the electromagnet 94a.

The contacts I5I are open inasmuch as the sensing element I6a has not established an electrical circuit through an interspaced perforation. If interspaced perforation 43a were at the sensing element Ilia so that the sensing element would contact with roller I9, the electro-magnet 94a would be energized as previously described,

which would close the contacts I5I, establishing the shunt circuit for the electro-magnet 94a. The energizing of the electro-magnet 94a raises the armature I50, which in turn moves the arm I52 and the clutching. element I 53 so that it cumulating mechanism is identical in construction and operation with the accumulating mechanism associated with electro-magnet 14a.

The shunt circuit for the wheel I51 is broken by the brush I23 riding off of the timing element I25 at.point "I as the commutator I24 1 rotates which deenergizes the electromagnet 94a and restores the clutching element I53 out of engagement with the accumulating wheel I51 and at-the same time breaks the shunt circuit at the contacts I5I. This restores the shunt circuit and the accumulating mechanism to its original condition'excepting as to the accumulating wheel, and ready to register a second record upon a second card.

The timing commutator I24 which constitutes one of the elements of the shunt circuits is provided with a metallic element I25 which establishes electrical contact between the brushes I2I and I22 and between the brushes I2I and I23.

This metallic timing element I25 controls the proportion of the cycle in which the shunt circuits to all of 'the accumulator control magnets ll and 94 are energized dependent upon the manner in which they are plugged up. Inasmuch as the shunt circuit for a numbered perforation will be set up before the shunt circuit for a perforation in the interspaced position for the same number is set up due to their relative position, this difference must be compensated for by the shunt circuit controlling the accumulators for the interspaced perforations being held an equivalent longer period after the shunt circuit controlling the numbered perforation position has been broken. This is accomplished by maintaining the circuit between brushes |2| and I23 slightly longer than the circuit is maintained between brushes |2| and |22 which result is obtained by extending the circuit breaking point I'll for the brush I23 slightly beyond the point where the circuit breaking point I10 of the brush I22 is placed.

Since the accumulator magnets governed by the regular designations receive their initial impulse in advance of those governed by the interspaced designations it follows that the accumulating Wheels controlled by the regular designations will move forwardly slightly in advance of those controlled by the interspaced designations, and come to rest in advance of those controlled by the interspaced designations. The cycles of primary adjustment for the two sets of designations therefore overlap but are not synchronous.

The shunt circuits described convert the designation, represented by the perforation in the column into a reading upon an accumulator by converting the position of the perforation upon the card into an electrical impulse or current having a duration proportionate to the value or numeral represented by the perforation. The recording of the designation represented by the perforations may also be said to be accomplished by the shunt circuit by converting the designation into a mechanical equivalent determined by the period of the cycle in which the accumulator control clutches are in driving engagement with the accumulating wheels.

The accumulator electromagnets 94b and Me control duplicate accumulating mechanisms in the same manner that the electro-magnet 94a controls the accumulator wheel I81 and the associated shunt circuit so that a further description of this duplicate mechanism is unnecessary.

In the description above, it has been pointed out that the two perforations in each column of the cardare records or designations which are separate and distinct from each other. The two designations, however. represented by the two perforations may form separate digits of a multidigit number. This may be accomplished by registering the designation represented by the perforation in the interspaced position of column 40a upon the accumulating wheel I51, shown in Figure 5 as above described, and by registering the designation represented by the perforation in the numbered position upon the accumulating wheel IS'lb controlled by the electromagnetiflb, so that the designation in interspaced position may represent the tens digit of a number and the perforation in numbered position may represent the units digit, or vice versa. Similarly the perforations in column 48b of the card may represent respectively the hundreds digit and the thousands digit of a number and their value distributed to accumulator wheels having these respective positions.

This result is secured by merely inserting one end of a plug-in line in the plug socket connected to the sensing element l6 which senses the perforations in the column having the desired designation and inserting the other end of the plug-in line in the plug socket connected to the accumulating mechanism upon which it is desired to register the perforation record. This manner of plugging any sensing element into electrical circuit with any accumulating mechanism renders the construction shown herein very flexible. In order to illustrate the flexibility of the construction of this invention, the last three columns 40a, 48b and 400 of the record card I may be plugged to the accumulating mechanisms so that three two-digit numbers are recorded or two three-digit numbers are recorded or a single six-digit number, or a four-digit number and a two-digit number which last may be obtained in several different ways which is apparent.

It has been previously pointed out that the selectors 80 and 8| are simple switching means. The electrical circuit including this switching means is represented by the conductor 5|, brush 2T, roller 25, sensing brush l6, conductor 60. brush'el, serration 82 of selector 80, brush 62, conductors to the electro-magnet l4, electromagnet l4, and conductor 15. This electric circult is broken at two points, namely, at the sensing brushes l8 by a card and at the selectors 80 and 8|. The electric circuit is closed at the sensing brushes l6 when a perforation appears in the card I under a brush. The electric circuit is closed by the selector 80 every time that a serration 82 contacts with the brush 6|. There is one serration 82 for each regular position on the card and a space or insulator so far as selector 80 is concerned, between serrations. Obviously then the electric circuit above is closed so as to actuate the accumulator wheel electromagnet ll subject to two conditions, first, that a perforation appear in the card in the column controlled by the sensing brush and, secondly, that that perforation be in regular position. If the perforation is not in regular position upon the card the circuit is broken at the selector 88 and electro-magnet ll is not energized.

Now the interspaced positions upon the card have a selector 8| identical with the selector 80. The selector 8| has a serration 83 for each identical interspaced position and a space or insulation so far as selector 8| is concerned, between the serrations 83. This selector 8| controls an electric circuit to electro-magnet 94 identical with the electric circuit for the electro-magnet "H described above. The space or insulation between serrations is proportional to the space between identical perforation positions or perforation potions of the same series upon a record card such as the space between regular perforation positions. In this way, like or identical series of perforations are selected for a particular electro-magnet circuit by the selector for that series and all other series of perforations are rejected. Since a plurality of perforation positions in columnar alignment is shown on the card and mechanism shown for selecting or distributing like series of perforation positions and rejecting others, the elements comprising one electric circuit may be multiplied to accommodate for any number of series of perforation positions or independent records in selectors 80 and 8| are interspaced with respect to each other merely for the reason that a single brush SI may be utilized to serve both selectors.

Although the columns in the cards are shown as having but two perforations, it is clear that the system is applicable to a greater number of perforations. By merely adding duplicate accumulating mechanism, duplicate selectors or switching mechanisms which close a circuit through the brushes GI and 62 and 6| and 63 for each of its positions upon the record card and associatedmechanism to those shown and described herein, the additional perforations may be read and registered in the same manner as the ,two records or designations shown herein are god and registered.

32 ince the accumulating mechanisms are suitable for accumulating the data represented by perforations in either the numbered perforation positions or in the interspaced perforation positions which positions are half a space separated in each column, the clutching element must be capable of engaging the accumulating wheel irrespectve of this halfspace difference and the resulting difference in time in which an electric circuit is set by a perforation in the numbered position and a perforation representing the same number in the interspaced position. The accumulator magnets governed by theregular designations or perforations, receive their initial impulse in advance of the initial impulse received by the accumulator magnets governed by the interspaced records. It follows, therefore, that the accumulating wheels controlled by the regular perforations will move forward slightly in advance of those accumulating wheels controlled by the interspaced records. Similarly, the accumulating wheels controlled by the regular perforations will come to rest in advance of the accumu-- It maybe said here that a suflicient number of teeth. must be provided on the clutch members of the accumulating wheels or other means provided, so thatvthe clutches will properly engage the wheels irrespective of whether a regular or interspaced designation is to be registered upon the accumulating wheel. Instead of pro viding the conventional ten clutch teeth, which would be one tooth for. each digit position on the accumulating wheel, twenty teeth may be provided for-example, as shown in Fig. 5, thus the clutch tooth I05 of clutching element I03 may engage the accumulating wheel I01 either when it is directly opposite an index number which occurs when controlledby a perforation in the regular perforation positions or when one-ha f way between two such numbers which occurs when the clutch tooth is controlled by a perforation in interspaced position. It is, of course, immaterial which tooth upon the accumulating wheel II" the clutch tooth I 05 engages since the tooth I05 can rotate the accumulating wheel through one or more digits, irrespective of whether it engages a regular tooth or an interspaced tooth. It'is only essential that the accumulating wheel be rotated full digits and not half digits, irrespective of whether the clutch tooth I05 engages a regular or interspaced tooth on the accumulating wheel. 'When the clutch tooth I05 engages an interspaced tooth I91, the wheel is rotated a full digit or digits by the circuit I3 being broken a half turn early by the brush riding off of the conductor I25 at the shoulder I10. Since the circuit was closed a half digit early because of an interspaced perforation, the circuit must be broken a half digit early in order to rotate the accumulating wheel a full digit or digits. The structure. of the conductor I25 and its function has been fully described hereinbefore.

In order that the columnar record of either or both the regular and interspaced record may selectively be associated with and control any desired accumulating wheel in themachine, a plug board similar to that employed in a manually operated telephone exchange is provided. Since it is necessary that both the initial control circuit and the shunt holding circuit for each accumulator control magnet be associated with the proper brush I22 or I23 contacting with commutator I24, a double plug and plug socket is necessary. The shunt circuits could, of course, go directly to the proper brush I22 or, I23 contacting with the commutator I24 if the same set of accumulating wheels were always used to, register records perforated in the regular positions, ,and another set of accumulating wheels were always used for the interspaced records or perforations. Single circuit contacts then would be suflicient in the plug board, but in the interest of flexibility the arrangement shown is prefer able.

The invention fully' described herein is to be given a scope commensurate with the disclosure and it is to be understood that no limitations are intended by the specific means disclosed herein, excepting as set forth in the accompanying claims, and the word designation is intended to have a scope to include any system or method for recording data upon a record card or any equivalent thereof by perforating the card or otherwise providing a control device at a predetermined position or positions.

What is claimed is:

1. In a-record controlled machine utilizing a record card having a plurality of designation columns and each column having a plurality of sets of independent designation positions, said designation positions in each column being in columnar alignment and interspaced with respect to each other, the combination of means for sensing the independent designations in each column of the card, an accumulator order for each set. of independent designation positions, and means for distributing impulses derived from the sensing means upon contact with each independent designation to a different one of said accumulator orders upon one passage of the card over the sensing mea'ns.

2. In a, record controlled machine utilizing a record card having a plurality of columns of des ignation positions and each column having a plurality'of sets of independent designation positions, said positions being in columnar-alignment and interspaced with respect to each other, the combination of sensing means for each column of designation positions for sensing the independent designations in each column, an accumulator order for each set of independent designation positions, a predetermined number of orders being positioned adjacent to each other to form an accumulator to represent different digits of one number having at least two digits,

and means ,for distributing the independent designations sensed by the sensing means in at least one column to adjacent orders of one accumulator and controlling the same to enter separate digits of a multi-digit number. v

3. In a record controlled machine utilizing a record card having a plurality of columns of designation positions and each column having a plurality of sets of independent designation positions, the positions for each set being in columnar alignment and interspaced with respect to each other, the combination of means for each column of the card for sensing the designations in each column, an independent electrical circuit for each set of independent designation positions in each column and controlled by the sensing means when it engages a designation, means operable in timed relation to the passage of the card past the sensing means for establishing each circuit for its respective set of designation positions and breaking the circuit for each position of another set in the same column, an accumulator or order for each independent designation in each column, and means controlled by its respective electric circuit for operating each accumulator order for entering thereupon the value of a designation on the card.

4. In a record controlled machine utilizing a record card having a plurality of sets of independent designation positions in each column of the card, said sets in each column being in columnar alignment and each set being interspaced with another set of designation positions, the combination of a single sensing element for each column to sense each independent designation in each column of the card, an accumulator order for each set of designation positions in each column of the card, means to operate each accumulator order when initiated by a designation in each column to register the value of a designation thereupon, and means provided for each single sensing element aridhonnecting the latter with one of the operating means for an accumulator order for each position of one set of independent designation positions upon the card as it is engaged by the sensing element and with another operating means for another accumulator order for each position of another set of designation positions in the same column of the card as it is engaged by the sensing element, the said connection being made upon one passage of the card relatively to the sensing element.

5. In a record controlled machine utilizing a record card having a plurality of sets of independent designation positions in each column of the card, said sets of designation positions in each column being in columnar alignment with the positions of each set being interspaced with respect to eachother comprising, in combination, an accumulator order for each independent set of designation positions, operating means for each accumulator order to actuate the same and enter the value of a designation thereupon, means for each of the aforesaid operating means and connected therewith to control its operation inmeans passes over other positions.

6. In a record controlled machine utilizing by a record card having a plurality of sets of independent designation positions in each column of the card, said sets of designation positions in each column being in columnar alignment and the positions of each set being interspaced with respect to each other comprising, in combination, an accumulator order for each independent set of perforation positions, an electric circuit for each independent set of designation positions in each column of the record card connected with and controlling the accumulator order, the electric circuits for each column including a single sensing element for that column to sense each independent designation in its column of the card, a selector for each independent set of designation positions in each column of the card, each selector being connected in and closing its respective electric circuit as the single sensing element passes over each designation position of its respective set and breaking the circuit as the sensing element passes over other positions, and means connecting each of said electric circuits to a selected accumulator order of one or more accumulators to control the accumulator order by its selected designation and enter the value of the designation thereupon.

7. In a record controlled machine utilizing a record card having a plurality of sets of independent designation positions in each column of the card, said designation positions in each column being in columnar alignment and the designation positions of each set being interspaced with respect to each other comprising, in combination, an accumulator order for each independent set of designation positions, an electric circuit for each independent set of positions in each column of the record card connected with and controlling an accumulator order, the electric circuits for each column including a single sensing element for that column to sense each designation in that column of the card, a selector for each independent set of designation positions in each column of the card, each selector being connected in and closing its respective electric circuit as the single sensing element passes over each design:- tion position of its respective set of positions and breaking the circuit as the sensing element passes over other positions, and means connected with each of said electric circuits and a selected accumulator order of one or more accumulators to control that accumulator order by the designation and enter the value of the designation thereupon, said last named means including means for each independent set of designation positions in one column of the card and common to the corresponding set of designation positions in all columns for entering the value of the designation upon the accumulator order.

8. In a record controlled machine utilizing a record card having a plurality of independent sets of designation positions in each column of the card, said positions in each column being in columnar alignment and the positions of each set being interspaced with respect to another set comprising, in combination, an accumulator order for each set of designation positions, an electric circuit for each independent set of designation positions on the record card connected with and controlling an accumulator order, the electric circuits for the designations in one column including a single sensing element for that column to sense each independent designation in its column of the card, a selector for each circuit, cach selector closing its respective electric circuit as the single sensing element passes over each designation position of its respective set of positions and breaking the circuit as the sensing element passes over other positions, and means for each accumulator order and initiated by closing of the atomsaid electric circuit for entering the value of a designation upon the accumulator order including a holding circuit for each accumulator order controlled by the closing of its. respective electric circuit, the holding circuit including a timing element for each set of independent designation positions in one column of the card and common to the corresponding designation positions in all columns for breaking the holding circuit after a predetermined lapseof time.

9. In a record controlled machine utilizing a record card having a plurality of sets of independent designation positions in each column of the card, said positions in each column being in columnar alignment and each set of positions being interspaced with respect to another set comprising, in combination; a feed roller to feed the cards into the machine; an accumulator order for each set of independent designation positions on the card; means operating each accumulator order to enter the value of a designation thereupon; and an electric circuit for each accumulator order connected with and controlling the operating means therefor, each electric circuit including sensing means for a column to sense each designation in that column of the card, and a selector for each set of independent designation positions in the column, each selector including a roller rotating at the same speed as the feed roller, a metallic strip on said roller, projections extending from the strip, the number of projections equalling the number of designation positions in each set of positions in one column of the card, and means cooperating withthe metallic strip and the projections to close the electric circuit of which the selector is a part as the sensing means passes over each designation position of its respective set of independent positions and breaking the circuit as the sensing means passes over other positions.

10. In a recordcontrolled machine utilizing a record card having a plurality of sets of independent designation positions in each column of the card, said positions in each column being in columnar alignment and the designation postions of each set being interspaced with respect to the positions of another set, comprising, in combination, a feed roller to feed the cards into the machine; an accumulator order for each set of independent designation positions; means operating each accumulator order to enter the value of a designation thereupon; and an electric circuit for each accumulator order connected with and controlling the operating means therefor, the electric circuits for each column of the card having a single sensing means for these circuits to sense each designation in that column of the card; each electric circuit including a selector for each set of independent designation positions in each column of the card; each selector including. a roller rotating at the same speed as the feed roller, a metallic strip on said roller, projections extending from the strip, the number of projections equalling the number of designation positions in each set in one column of the card, means cooperating with the metallic strip and the projections to close its respective electric circuit as the sensing means passes over each designation position of its respective set of independent positions and to break the circuit as the sensing means passes over other positions; an'

electrical holding circuit for each accumulator order and controlling the operating means therefor to enter the value of said designation upon the accumulator order including a commutator for all of said circuits and rotating at the same speed as the selectors, a metallic strip upon the commutator for each independent set of designation positions in one column of the card and common to corresponding sets of designation positions in all columns, and means cooperating with the strips to retain the holding circuit closed for a predetermined period to enter the value of designations upon the accumulator order.

l1.In a record controlled machine utilizing a .record card having a plurality of designation columns and each column having a plurality of sets of independent designation positions, said designation positions in each column beingin columnar alignment and interspaced with respect to each other, the combination of means for sensing each column of the card for the independent designations in the columns of the card, an accumulator order for each set of independent designation positions, means for each set of designation positions and connected with a sensing means for distributing an impulse derived from the sensing means upon contact with one independent designation to an accumulator order for entering the value of the designation thereupon, the next aforesaid means distributing another impulse derived from the sensing means upon contact with another independent designation in the same column as the first designation to another accumulator order for entering the value of the designation thereupon, the second impulse being distributed while entering the value of the first designation on the accumulator order, the distributing of the impulses and the entering of the values of the designations occurring upon one passage of the card over the sensing means.

12. In a record controlled machine utilizing a record card having a plurality of designation columns and each column having a plurality of sets of independent designation positions, said designation positions in each column being in dependent designations in each column of the card; an accumulator order for each set of independent designation positions; each column of the card being provided with means for distributing an impulse derived from the sensing means for that column upon contact with one independent designation to an accumulator order for entering the value of the designation thereupon, and means for distributing another impulse derived from the sensing means for that column upon contact with another independent designation in the same column to another accumulator order for entering the value of the designation thereupon, the latter impulse being distributed while entering the value of thefirst designation, the distributing of the impulses and the entering of the values of the designations occurring upon one passage of the card over the sensing means; and means for controlling each accumulator order after an impulse has been distributed thereto for a period commensurate with the position of the designation in the column and the set of designation positions in which the designation appears.

13. In a record controlled machine utilizing a record card having a plurality of designation columns and each column having a plurality oi sets of independent dedgnation positions, said designation positions in each column being in columnar alignment and interspaced with respect to each other, the combination of means for each column of the card for sensing the independent designations in each column of the card; an accumulator order for each set of independent designation positions; each column of the card being provided with means for distributing an impulse derived from the sensing means for that column upon contact with one independent designation to an accumulator order for entering the value of the designation thereupon, and means for distributing another impulse derived from the sensing means upon contact with another independent designation in the same column to another accumulator order for entering the value of the designation thereupon, the latter impulse being distributed while entering the value of the first designation, the distributing oi the impulses and the entering oi the values of the designations occurring upon one passage of the card over the sensing means; and means for each designation in one column and common to all columns of designation positions for controlling each accumulator order after an impulse has been distributed thereto for a period commensurate with the position of the designation in the column and the set of designation positions in which the designation appears.

14. In a record controlled machine utilizing a record card having a plurality of sets of independent designation positions in each column of the card, said sets in each column being in columnar alignment and each set being interspaced with another set of designation positions, the combination of a single sensing element for each column to sense each independent designation in each column of the card, an accumulator order for each set of designation positions in each column oi the card, means to operate each accumulator order when initiated by a designation in each column to register the value of a designation thereupon, means provided for each single sensing element and connecting the latter with one of the operating means for an accumulator order for each position of one set of independent designation positions upon the card as it is engaged by the sensing element and with another operating means for another accumulator order for each position of another set of designation positions in the same column oi the card as it is engaged by the sensing element, the said connection being made upon one passage of the card relatively to the sensing element, and means controlling the operating means for the accumulator orders for a column so that one operating means continues to operate for a short period after another one has ceased operating in order to compensate for the designation in one set oi designation positions initiating operation of an accumulator order prior to the initiation of another accumulator order by a corresponding designation in another set of designation positions in that column.

ROBERT L. HOUSTON. 

